Chapter 183 THE PUREBLOOD

Chapter 183 THE PUREBLOOD
MALIA'S POV:

The second those words leave Viktor’s mouth… “Lucien needs you”… Every singe nerve in my body ignites with frantic urgency!!
I scramble off the bed immediately with my bare feet hitting the cool floorboards as I lunge toward the door. "Where is he?! Take me to him!!”
"Malia, no!" Maddox barks, dropping his blade into its sheath and stepping directly into my path with his hands extended to block me. "You aren't going anywhere! You just woke up from a four-day coma after being loaded with freaking poison!"
"I don't care!" I yell, trying to dodge around him. "What is wrong with him, Viktor?! What happened to Lucien?!"
Viktor doesn't flinch, even as Maddox turns to shoot him a glare, daring him to say a word. "The poison is out of his system but his body is still not healing fast enough… And he isn't waking up, Malia. He seems to have slipped into some kind of deep coma-like state... and his heartrate is growing weaker. He might be in grave danger….“
Oh Goddess… 
I immediately whip around to face my brother, my eyes burning with fury. "You lied to me?!!” I snap. "You said Lucien was okay! You told me he was patched up and fine!!”
"I didn't lie…” Maddox snaps back defensively, throwing his hands up in frustration. "The Lycan King is still alive and breathing, isn't he?”
“Only barely..." Viktor cuts in and Maddox shoots him another glare. "His wounds aren't getting worse, but they aren't getting any better either… He isn't healing. I don't know what's wrong with him... perhaps he lost too much blood before we got to him. He is practically on the brink right now…”
Maddox’s scowl deepens and his jaw set stubbornly. “What the hell does that have to do with Malia? She just woke up! She’s not stable enough yet! So she stays here!!”
A sudden surge of anger rushes through my veins and before I even realize what I am doing, I slam my hands against Maddox’s broad chest and shove him back roughly!
Maddox stumbles back three full steps with his eyes widening in pure shock as he hits the edge of the wooden table and I stare down at my own hands, stunned by the sheer, effortless strength behind the push! I just shoved Maddox! I’m stronger than I remember. 
 But the anger inside me immediately drowns out the surprise…
"You don't get to make these decisions for me anymore, Maddox!" I shout. "I am sick and tired of people just telling me what I can or cannot do! I am tired of being treated like some puppet everybody strings along!!”
I take a step forward. "Lucien is my Mate!! I am not just your little sister anymore, Maddox. If he dies... if he dies because of what I did… I will never, ever forgive myself. I won't be able to live with it!!!”
Maddox stares at me stunned for a few more seconds then the anger completely drains from his face. His hazel eyes soften and he slowly lets out a long breath and lowers his arms.
"Fine… I guess I cannot keep you from your… Mate.“ He almost chokes on the word, like he’s barely coming to terms with the concept of me being mated to the Lycan devil from our pack’s stories. He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "Fine… But I'm definitely coming with you."
He turns his gaze toward Viktor and his jaw tightens again into a harsh scowl as the two men lock eyes in a tense, silent staredown. “I’ll need to make sure nothing happens to my little sister."
I expect Viktor to sneer, or to spit back a bitter insult at a werewolf challenging him. But instead, a strange expression creeps into his face and he swallows hard, his eyes flicker to me briefly, shimmering with an emotion I can't quite read.
"I want the exact same thing…” Viktor murmurs quietly.
I don't have time to ponder his strange reaction… My mind is completely consumed by one name and one face…
"Take me to Lucien…” I urge Viktor hurriedly. "Please! Now!!”
Without another word, Viktor turns and leads the way out of the cabin and Maddox falls into step right beside me begrudgingly with his hand resting casually near the hilt of his dagger, his posture remains guarded.
We walk down a narrow hallway that opens up to the crisp, freezing mountain air. Stepping outside, I catch my first real look at the Crescent Pack's hidden stronghold.
The camp is nestled deep in the mountains, surrounded by jagged, snow-capped peaks and towering pine trees… A few dozen sturdy wooden cabins are scattered across the uneven terrain, connected by dirt paths. It is remarkably peaceful and serene…
Dozens of werewolves are moving about… A few familiar faces from our pack, wounded soldiers, and younger werewolves carrying supplies. They must be the survivors of the multiple destroyed packs, gathered together under my father's command now.
As we walk past them, the chatter quiets down… Heads turn and all eyes lock onto me from every direction…
"Don't mind them…” Maddox mutters under his breath, slinging an arm around my shoulder defensively. "You've gotten quite popular around here, little sister. Word travelled fast about you turning half of the traitorous Kade pack’s army to dust. Now they probably don’t know whether to thank you… or fear you… They’ve also been really unhappy with the Lycans being in the camp so there’s that…“
A shudder runs down my spine as I notice a few hostile glares but I immediately steel myself and raise my head higher… Maybe they should fear me afterall.
But then, as I look at the looming pine trees and the sweeping mountain mist around us, a sudden, bizarre wave of déjà vu washes over me and my chest tightens with a strange familiarity, like a distant memory tugging at the back of my mind… Have I been to these mountains before? It makes no sense…
I have lived my entire life in the Crescent Pack territory down near the low valleys. I have never stepped foot in these northern ridges… How weird…
It must just be my mind messing with me.
We continue down the dirt path until we reach a hastily built fence made from spiked logs and an iron wire to form a makeshift barricade cutting through the center of the camp, dividing the werewolf cabins from a small cluster of isolated cabins on the far edge.
A pang of sadness hits my chest… 
But I guess it makes sense… the werewolves and the Lycans are natural, blood-bound enemies who have slaughtered each other for centuries. Placing a fence between them is the only way to keep them from tearing each other apart. Especially since the very Lycans who ravaged their packs were just a few paces away… But, surely this was a bloodbath waiting to happen! It’s not like the fence could really keep them contained anyway… A pile of logs and iron against lycans? It was more of a suggestion than a barricade.
But as I look at that fence, I realize the bitter, lonely truth… I don't truly belong on either side. I never really fit in with the werewolves, nor am I accepted among the Lycans I just betrayed. I guess I am stuck somewhere in the middle… a monster that belongs nowhere.
Viktor opens the gate in the barricade, stepping through and Maddox follows closely with his hand never leaving his sheathed blade, while Viktor leads us to the largest cabin at the edge of the trees.
Viktor pushes the door open, stepping into a dimly lit, cramped room.
Sitting by a small table, wrapping bandages around a roll of herbs, is Laena!!
The moment I see her, my entire body stiffens and my heart plummets into my stomach… I brace myself for the cold, venomous reprimand I know is coming. I remember the sheer hatred in her eyes when she learned I had sold Lucien out to Kieran, betraying her family… Beside me, I feel Maddox stiffen as well and his hand falls away from his weapon. What’s his deal…
I wait for her to scream. I wait for her to curse my name…
Instead, Laena drops the bandages and her eyes well up with tears, as she sprints across the room, throwing her arms around my neck in a fierce, tight hug!!
"Malia!" she sobs against my shoulder, squeezing me tight. “Thank the Goddess, you're awake! Are you okay?!"
I stand frozen in utter shock with my mouth agape. "I... I'm..." I stammer, my voice trembles as warm tears well in my eyes. "I'm fine, Laena... but... I don't understand. I thought... I thought you'd hate me. I thought you'd never want to see my face again after what I did…”
Laena pulls back slightly with her hands resting tenderly on my shoulders. Her face falls as a shadow of pain passes over her features.
"I was angry…” Laena admits softly, her voice is thick with emotion. “I trusted you, I thought we were friends… I felt so betrayed. But... Lila explained everything to us… She told us how Kieran lied to you, how he manipulated your memories into thinking your father had been murdered just to get Lucien's blood."
She strokes my hair gently with more tears running down her cheeks. "You were just another victim in this sickening war, Malia… Valir and Kieran took advantage of your pain and your love for your family. I don't blame you anymore. I forgive you... I just hope... I just hope Lucien pulls through this."
A painful sob catches in my throat. Her forgiveness feels like a soothing salve over a bleeding wound, but the thought of Lucien in danger immediately makes the guilt inside me burn even hotter.
"Where is he?" I ask hoarsely, wiping my eyes. "Take me to him, please…”
Laena nods silently, leading me toward a closed door at the back of the cabin. She pushes it open gently, stepping aside to let me enter.
The moment my eyes land on the bed, my heart shatters into a million tiny pieces.
Lucien is lying still on the mattress… So still, he could be mistaken for a corpse!!
His skin is dangerously pale, almost translucent, and his cheekbones are hollowed. But what makes my blood run cold are the thick, black, vein-like tendrils spreading out across his collarbones, his neck, and his chest, twisting like dark ivy beneath his skin.
Sitting on a wooden chair right beside his bed is Loki and for the first time since I met him, the playful, mischievous pureblood looks completely broken… He sits hunched over with his hands clasped between his knees, staring at the floor with a solemn expression. His usual bright, arrogant smirk is entirely gone, replaced by deep lines of grief and exhaustion.
Hearing the door open, Loki stands up wearily, “Did you get the herbs Laena?”
But then his eyes meet mine, and the sorrow on his face instantly hardens into something icy.
A tight knot of guilt twists in my gut and I take a small step forward, reaching a hand out toward him. "Loki... I... I am so, so sorry—"
"Save the speech…” Loki interrupts and his voice drops into a harsh, bitter snarl.
"Loki, please… I am sorry.” I plead with tears streaming down my face. "I never meant for any of this to happen!”
"I don't give a damn what you meant to happen, Malia!” Loki yells, stepping toward me, his eyes flash with rage. "I should have known better! I should have trusted Lucien's instincts from the very beginning! He was right to be wary of you! He was right to keep his distance! And what did I do?! I played the stupid wingman! I convinced him to trust you! I told him you were different! And he fell right into your trap!!!“
He points a shaking finger at Lucien's still, black-veined body. "Look at him, Malia! Look at what your hate did to him! He cared about you more than anything in this world, and you handed him over on a silver platter to Valir! You manipulated his feelings, you stole his blood, and you brought down our entire kingdom!"
"Loki, What are you doing?!” Viktor’s loud voice cuts through the room as he steps between us, placing a heavy hand on Loki’s chest. "Lay off her! You know she was manipulated by the Kade pack’s Alpha…“
"Oh please… of course you'd take her side now!" Loki scoffs bitterly, shoving Viktor's hand away. "Can't you see she’s fucking ruined everything?! Because of her betrayal, Valir's coup succeeded! He is sitting on the throne! He controls our home and has fucking weapons that can obliterate us! And what are we?! We are fucking fugitives, holing up like rats in some backwater werewolf den, being treated like trash while our brother rots away like a corpse! All because of HER!!!”
"Hey! Don't you dare yell at my sister like that!" Maddox barks angrily, shoving his way to the front too and drawing his blade halfway out of its sheath. "You should be grateful to Malia… She’s the reason scum like you were allowed inside our camp at all!"
"Scum?!" Loki spits with his claws extending as he bares his fangs at Maddox. "I could rip your throat out right now…”
"ENOUGH!!!” Viktor roars in a commanding voice that shakes the cabin walls. He shoves Loki slightly toward the door. “Maybe you should take a walk… And let it go already, Loki! Blaming everyone isnt helping Lucien…“
Loki scoffs, snatching his arm away from Viktor. He turns his cold, bitter gaze back onto me and my heart sinks deeper. "Let's hope you can fix the bloody mess you’ve made then," he spits out viciously. "I'm out of here…”
Then he walks out and slams the door behind him.
I stand there, sobbing uncontrollably, covering my face with my hands as the weight of his words crushes my soul… Every single thing he said is true! It is my fault… Lucien is hurting because of me.
"Don't take his words to heart…” Laena whispers softly, wrapping her arms around my trembling shoulders and pulling me close. "He's just scared and worried for Lucien, He’s always looked up to Lucien and seeing him like this... it's weighing on him harder than he’s letting on.”
I wipe my eyes with trembling hands and slowly walk over to the side of the bed.
I sink onto the small wooden chair Loki vacated and my knees are shaking so badly now they can barely hold my weight anymore. I reach out with my fingers trembling as I gently brush a lock of hair away from Lucien’s pale forehead.
"Lucien?…” I whisper and my voice breaks into a quiet sob.
I reach down and take his hand in mine.
My breath hits a snag… His skin is freezing! It’s cold, lifeless, and corpse-like… His usual warmth is gone, there is no reassuring sign of strength or the spark of the fierce mate-bond we share… Just a hollow, agonizing stillness now.
"I am so sorry..." I weep, squeezing his limp, freezing fingers tightly against my cheek. "I'm so, so sorry, Lucien... Please... please wake up. Please don't leave me like this... Why isn't he waking up, Laena? Why isn't he healing?!"
Laena steps beside the bed, looking down at him with sorrowful eyes. "I don't know, Malia… I've tried everything. I've used my healing abilities every single day, but it isn't working. I’m afraid, my power is limited when it comes to blessed silver wounds because I am just a hybrid."
"Then what do we do?!" I cry out desperately, looking back and forth between Laena and Viktor. "There has to be something! How do we save him?!"
Viktor steps up to the edge of the bed with his face solemn as he stares down at Lucien.
“There is one way…” Viktor says quietly. "A pureblood of the Voss bloodline can heal any blessed silver wound, no matter how deep…”
The room falls into a heavy, suffocating silence and I blink back my tears, looking up at him in utter confusion. "What do you mean a pureblood? Lucien is the last Voss pureblood, isn't he?! The rest of his family died years ago during the massacre!!”
"Yes," Viktor agrees gravely. "They did…”
"Then how does that help us?!" I ask and my voice rises in a panic. "If Lucien is the only one left, who else has the Voss healing ability?!”
"A pureblood from the Kael lineage would be able to siphon abilities from other bloodlines and temporarily use them to heal," Laena explains.
I round on Viktor and my brow furrows in deep confusion. "Then... then why the hell are you just standing there?! Viktor… you're a Kael aren’t you?!!! What are you waiting for?! You have the siphoning ability! Why haven't you mirrored the Voss healing power and saved him?!"
Viktor’s face falls. "I tried, Malia… I tried several times. But mirroring his abilities requires him to have enough strength for me to pull from. Lucien's body is too weak… There is nothing left inside him for me to feed off of. Nothing to mirror…”
"Then what happens now? Is there nothing we can do!” I sob and terror grips me. "Is he just going to… To die?!!!”
Viktor takes a deep breath and his eyes lock directly onto mine with an intensity that makes me go rigid.
"We’ll need a Lycan pureblood who already possesses the abilities of all five bloodlines," Viktor says calmly. "A pureblood who doesn't need to mirror anyone... because all five abilities already exist inside their blood."
What the hell is he talking about?! A Lycan pureblood with all five abilities? The Voss family’s healing, The Thanes necromancy, Harkins mind control, Draken shapeshifting, and Kael siphoning...? I’ve never heard of such a Lycan… Does that even exist?!
"What do you mean… Viktor, Where in the world are we ever going to find a Lycan like that?!!!” I ask frantically,
Viktor doesn't answer right away… He simply stands there with his dark gaze holding mine, totally unmoving.
"Where can we find this Lycan, Viktor?!!!” I demand again with my heart hammering against my ribs.
At this point I don’t even care!! Wherever they were… I would find them and drag them here if that was what I needed to do to save Lucien… I'd do anything!!
But then Viktor gives me a strange look and says.
"She is already here.”